How often do you ~scan~ your X
 

X is getting old. Actually, been a bit old for a while....but I'm sorta hemming/hawing on the wifes replacement.

Just brought it to the Indy to have the X scanned for some obvious stuff that cluster showed/symptoms. Go figure but I guess if I had a scanner, I would probably be proactive about checking codes, kinda like checking tire pressure ! One week, I check the fronts. I know it's at 34. 2 weeks later, I check them as my weekend driving test felt like something was off. Both dropped about 3lbs. Go figure. Add some air.....monitor the situation.

Coincidentally, turned out 2 issues he found that we did not pick up on. Aux fan shot and fuel vent valve. Wifey has not complained about the AC being not cool, and on the weekends, if I take it for a short trip just to get some drivetime behind the X to make sure she's running solid, AC was running fairly decent. Gotham city here so surely there has to be at least a time or 2 where she's hit some bumper2bumper.

Always thought about running Inpa, etc but never got around to it.
You know how the saying goes about the cobblers shoes.
Deal with tech all day - last thing I want to touch@home ;-0

I check mine monthly just because I paid for the computer. I use DIV5.7
I am not sure how to use INPA. its not user friendly to perform checks in my opinion, but I admit I'm VERY limited to using it. I need to learn how to use it better.

I only scan it when something is wrong. I don't proactively do it. INPA is a little tricky at first but it's pretty basic once you become familiar with the layout.

Unless I missed something in playing with INPA, you can't do a error code read sweep of all systems - you have to target each sub-system one at a time. This makes INPA a poor choice for regular "just in case" checks. From the look of it BMW Scanner 1.40 from PA Soft is a better choice for a regular health check type check. Not that I've use BMW Scanner - I have it installed and running but it won't recognise my OBD-II adapter (the same one that works with INPA - go figure).

I do use INPA to occasionally check the DDE and the AGS - and over the winter I use INPA to power up the aux. fan for a couple of minutes each month, to get it turning over.

-1.5 Deg. C here this morning - not in need of much extra cooling!

I use a regular OBD II scanner when the SES or CEL comes on since those lights only come on when you have an emission related problem. For the other modules such as EGS, LKM, ABS, DSC, etc I started with carsoft 6.5 but have since migrated to BMW Scanner 1.4.

You can. After selecting your generation, use the first selection instead of picking engine/chassis/trans, etc. It'll run through everything at once. You can also clear everything at once.

See? That's why I keep coming back here! Thanks Joshdub... :thumbup:

(Actually, I think I tried this when I first got INPA sort of running but it didn't work - then I forgot about it).